Pustertal can take over the top spot on Friday

HC Falkensteiner Pustertal has made a strong start to the new season. With 24 points, the South Tyroleans sit just one point behind the free from play league leaders from Ljubljana. A home win against VSV on Friday would see Pustertal move into first place. Villach, however, is also in good form. The Carinthians currently occupy sixth place, just three points behind Pustertal, although they have played one more game. The home team from Bruneck has won five of its last six games and earned points in nine of eleven outings so far — eight of them victories. VSV has won seven of its twelve games, most recently edging FTC 5–4 in overtime. The two teams have already met this season: on September 21, Pustertal celebrated a 3–0 away win.

Linz looking to end its slump
The Steinbach Black Wings Linz continue to struggle, sitting at the bottom of the table with just five points — already 16 points behind fourth-placed Moser Medical Graz99ers. Their only regulation win came in the season opener against the Pioneers. Graz, on the other hand, has won five of eleven games in regulation time. Last weekend, the Styrians recorded a 6–1 road win in Villach before falling 3–2 in overtime at home to KAC. Linz, meanwhile, suffered defeats against Budapest (2–3) and Pustertal (1–4). The Upper Austrians, however, have good memories of facing Graz: in a dramatic playoff series last season, Linz prevailed 3–2 in the decisive seventh game to reach the semifinals. Six of the seven encounters were decided by just one goal.

Fehérvár and KAC meet for the second time this season
The second clash of the season between Hydro Fehérvár AV19 and EC-KAC is set for Friday. The two teams met in Klagenfurt on opening night, where the Carinthians claimed a clear 4–0 victory. Currently, KAC has seven wins and 19 points from ten games, sitting seventh in the standings. They are four points ahead of ninth-placed Fehérvár, who have won five of eleven games. Fehérvár recently lost 0–3 in Bolzano but had previously notched two straight wins, including a 3–2 victory over league leaders Salzburg. KAC, meanwhile, is the hottest team in the league right now, having won five consecutive games — the longest active winning streak in the ICE. Last weekend, they secured two 3–2 wins on the road, in Vienna and Graz after Overtime.

Defending champion Salzburg faces Budapest for the first time
For the first time in win2day ICE Hockey League history, EC Red Bull Salzburg will face FTC-Telekom. The newcomers from Budapest have impressed early in their debut season, earning five wins from eleven games and collecting 16 points. Sitting eighth in the standings, they are only five points behind fifth-placed Salzburg, who have 21 points. Last week, the Red Bulls qualified for the round of 16 in the Champions Hockey League. In the league, they then suffered a 3–4 overtime loss to Ljubljana before bouncing back with a 4–2 home win over Innsbruck. FTC narrowly lost 4–5 in overtime at Villach on Sunday — their first defeat after three straight wins.

Tyrolean Derby: Innsbruck hosts Bolzano
For the first time this season, it’s time for the Tyrolean Derby between HC TIWAG Innsbruck and HCB Südtirol Alperia. With 21 points, the visitors from Bolzano currently sit third in the table, while Innsbruck ranks 11th with eight points. The Tyroleans have shown some signs of improvement recently, winning two of their last five games, but they lost their most recent two — against Fehérvár (1–2 OT) and Salzburg (2–4). Bolzano, meanwhile, ended a four-game losing streak across all competitions last weekend with a 3–0 home victory over Fehérvár. The Foxes from Bolzano have also won the last five derby meetings against Innsbruck.

Capitals and Pioneers Conclude Round 13
Round 13 will conclude on Saturday with the matchup between the Vienna Capitals and the Pioneers Vorarlberg. The Capitals parted ways with head coach Gerry Fleming earlier this week following a four-game losing streak. Assistant coach Fabian Scholz will take over on an interim basis until the international break in November. He will be supported by Rafael Rotter, who steps in as assistant coach on an interim basis, and goalie coach Bernhard Starkbaum. In the standings, Vienna sits tenth with 13 points, while the Pioneers are 12th with seven points and have also lost their last three games. The Pioneers, however, won the first meeting of the season 4–2 at home — their sixth consecutive victory over the Capitals.

Innsbruck and Villach open Round 14
Saturday will also feature the first game of Round 14, with HC TIWAG Innsbruck taking on EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV. For both teams, it will be their second game within 24 hours. The sides last met on October 11 in Villach, where the hosts cruised to a 5–1 victory — their sixth straight win over Innsbruck.

win2day ICE Hockey League:
Fri, 24.10.2025:
19:15: EC Red Bull Salzburg – FTC-Telekom
Referees: NAGY, ZRNIC, Bärnthaler, Gatol

19:15: Hydro Fehérvár AV19 – EC-KAC
Referees: HRONSKY, SIEGEL, Jedlicka, Muzsik

19:15: Steinbach Black Wings Linz – Moser Medical Graz99ers
Referees: HUBER A., SCHAUER, Bedynek, Weiss

19:15: HC TIWAG Innsbruck – HCB Südtirol Alperia
Referees: HLAVATY, SMETANA, Durmis, Konc

19:45: HC Falkensteiner Pustertal – EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV
Referees: GROZNIK, PIRAGIC, Hribar, Rigoni

Sat, 25.10.2025:
17:30: HC TIWAG Innsbruck – EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV
Referees: HUBER A., SMETANA, Durmis, Konc

19:15: Vienna Capitals – Pioneers Vorarlberg
Referees: FICHTNER, NAGY, Riecken, Wimmler

Watch all games live on Sporteurope.tv.